Loren Merkle is a CFP® professional with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving at Merkle Retirement Planning. He has worked with Elite Retirement Planning, LLC and Global Financial Private Capital. Merkle is the owner of MRP Holdings, Inc., which includes several related businesses such as a tax preparation firm and an insurance agency. Merkle Retirement Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to individuals, retirement-plan sponsors, trusts, and other entities. The firm emphasizes individualized planning, discretionary asset management through model portfolios and direct security management, and offers client education through workshops, newsletters, and media appearances.

Connor Peck is a financial advisor at Wilon Wealth Management with five years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® designation and Series 66 license. Prior to joining Wilon Wealth Management, Peck worked at Purshe Kaplan Sterling and Securities America Advisors. He has also been involved in entrepreneurial ventures related to golf, including CP Golf Group, LLC. Wilon Wealth Management is a team-based registered investment adviser serving individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities, typically requiring about $250,000 in investable assets. The firm offers comprehensive wealth management services focused on planning-driven, diversified asset allocation aligned with clients’ goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon, emphasizing tax efficiency and low fees.

Austin Harris is a financial advisor at West Financial Advisors, L.L.C. in Des Moines, IA, holding a Series 65 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining West Financial Advisors, he held positions at Sonora Quest Laboratories, Hach Chemical Company, Heska Corporation, and Clinical Pathology Laboratories. West Financial Advisors serves high-net-worth individuals and company-sponsored retirement plans, focusing on long-term investment strategies with broad diversification. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and tax preparation, supported by regular client communication and educational initiatives.

Haley Danforth is a financial advisor at Merkle Retirement Planning with six years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 credential and has worked at Elite Retirement Planning since 2018. Outside of advising, Danforth serves as Chair of the West Des Moines Chamber's Young Professionals Program and is the Alumni Chair for the West Des Moines Leadership Academy advisory council. Merkle Retirement Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, retirement-plan sponsors, trusts, and other entities. The firm emphasizes individualized planning and offers discretionary asset management through model portfolios and direct security management, with operational implementation delegated to a sub-advisor.

Benjamin Rasmussen is a financial advisor at Van Diest Capital with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Before joining Van Diest Capital in 2025, he worked at Dawson & Bertran Investment Advisors for three years. Outside of his advisory role, Rasmussen serves as a coach at Webster City Schools. Van Diest Capital provides portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and fiduciary investment advice to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm incorporates Socially Responsible Investing options and uses a process combining modern portfolio theory with fundamental, cyclical, and quantitative analysis.

Emilee Derifield is a CFP® professional with seven years of experience in financial advisory roles, currently with West Financial Advisors, L.L.C. in Des Moines, IA. Her prior roles include positions at Gilbert & Cook, Inc., Vision Financial Group, and AO Wealth Advisory. West Financial Advisors serves high-net-worth individuals and company-sponsored retirement plans, focusing on portfolios typically valued at $1 million or more. The firm emphasizes long-term investment strategies and broad diversification, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and tax preparation services.

Colby Dotzler is a financial advisor with Midwest Heritage Financial Advisors in West Des Moines, IA. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been in the industry for one year. Prior to joining the firm, he held positions at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company and Patterson Dental Logistics. Midwest Heritage Financial Advisors is the investment advisory division of Midwest Heritage Bank, FSB, serving individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The five-advisor team manages about $398.7 million across approximately 334 client relationships using a “total portfolio” approach that emphasizes active, diversified allocation across asset classes and strategies to address volatility and seek consistent returns.

Elizabeth Pennington is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with seven years of industry experience. She has been with Atwood Financial Planning LLC since 2019 and previously worked for U.S. Wheat Associates from 2014 to 2019. Atwood Financial Planning serves individuals, small businesses, trusts, estates, and charities, providing comprehensive financial planning and consulting services. The firm emphasizes low-cost index funds and ETFs with a buy-and-hold strategy and offers non-discretionary investment support alongside programs such as concierge and accountability services.

Cameron Pietzsch is a CFP® professional with four years of experience at Syverson Strege and prior roles spanning financial services and other industries. He has worked at Athene, Willis Auto, Equifax, and held various positions connected to the University of Iowa. Syverson Strege is a multidisciplinary wealth management firm serving individuals, families, trusts, and estates, including high-net-worth clients. The firm provides comprehensive financial planning and discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management using an institutional automated platform, with a fee-based fiduciary approach.

Melissa Gray is a financial advisor at Merkle Retirement Planning with 23 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at Elite Retirement Planning since 2019, following a tenure at VOYA Financial Advisors from 2014 to 2018. Merkle Retirement Planning serves individuals, retirement-plan sponsors, trusts, and other entities, offering tailored financial planning, discretionary asset management, and retirement-plan consulting under ERISA standards. The firm uses a model-driven investment approach combined with direct security management and provides client education through workshops, webinars, and media appearances.

Joseph Fiorentino is a financial advisor at DMKC Advisory Services, LLC in Des Moines, IA, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Before joining DMKC Advisory Services and its affiliated broker-dealer D.M. Kelly & Company in 2025, he was involved with Ironbound Farm & Cider House in 2023. DMKC Advisory Services provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning to individuals, corporations, businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $902.5 million for around 473 clients through a six-advisor team, employing a long-term buy-and-hold investment approach with diversified portfolios and both discretionary and non-discretionary services.

Caleb Pearson is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked with Compass Financial Services since 2012 alongside his roles at LPL Financial. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with Brokers Clearing House, providing non-variable insurance services. LPL Financial offers advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, institutions, and high-net-worth households. The firm supports its advisors with an in-house research team and a variety of investment and service options tailored to client needs.

Herbert Modglin is a financial advisor with Five Talents Financial Management Group LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Five Talents since 2020 and has prior experience at LPL Financial and VisionPoint Advisory Group. Modglin is also licensed as an insurance agent, soliciting life and term insurance. Five Talents Financial Management Group advises individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as profit-sharing and pension plans, corporations, and trusts. The firm manages approximately $210 million in discretionary assets and employs a Wealth Management Program that combines various analytical techniques and both short- and long-term strategies, serving a high client load with standardized processes and offering retirement plan education and support.

Daniel Kelly is a financial advisor with DMKC Advisory Services, LLC in Des Moines, Iowa, holding Series 63 and 66 licenses and bringing 18 years of industry experience. He has been associated with DMKC Advisory Services and its affiliated firm, D.M. Kelly & Company, in various roles since 2003. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a part-time job coach at Candeo in Des Moines. DMKC Advisory Services, LLC provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as corporations, businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $902.5 million through a six-advisor team, employing a long-term, buy-and-hold investment approach using diversified portfolios composed of no-load mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and fixed income.

Wendy Moran is a financial advisor with Wealth Advisors of Iowa, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and three years of industry experience. She is also a shareholder of MHCS, P.C., a CPA firm in West Des Moines, where she oversees assurance services, quality control, and risk management. Moran has been affiliated with Wealth Advisors of Iowa since 2002 and with MHCS since 2015. Wealth Advisors of Iowa provides portfolio management, financial planning, and qualified retirement plan services to individuals, pension plans, trusts, banks, and business entities. The firm employs a fiduciary investment process using a combination of analytical methods and offers discretionary account management, participant-level retirement plan advice, and a wrap-fee program.

Chawn Honkomp is a financial advisor at Merkle Retirement Planning with 11 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at multiple firms including Princor Financial Services Corporation and United Planners Financial Services of America. Outside of his advisory role, he operates an independent insurance agency focused on non-variable insurance products. Merkle Retirement Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to individuals, retirement-plan sponsors, trusts, and other entities. The firm offers tailored financial planning, discretionary asset management through model portfolios and direct security management, and retirement-plan consulting under ERISA standards.

Tyler Dawson is a financial advisor at Van Diest Capital with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has previously worked at firms including Transamerica Financial Advisors and Signator Investors, Inc. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an elder and board member at Missionary Alliance Church, where he is involved in teaching and public speaking. Van Diest Capital provides portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and fiduciary investment advice to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm incorporates Socially Responsible Investing options and uses a comprehensive investment process drawing from modern portfolio theory and various analytical approaches.

Michael Mcclimon is a financial advisor at FMSA with 29 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has previously worked at GWN Securities Inc. Mcclimon also owns and operates a tax services business that prepares tax returns and assists with FAFSA applications for college students. FMSA is a privately owned registered investment adviser serving individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate pension plans, municipalities, and trusts. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning using a fundamental, research-driven investment approach.

Bryce Littler is a financial advisor at Van Diest Capital in Polk City, IA, with four years of industry experience and a Series 65 designation. His prior roles include positions at WealthCharter Retirement Planning, Principal, and HK Solutions Group. In addition to his advisory work, he runs a tax and accounting practice through VDC Accounting, LLC. Van Diest Capital provides portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs a range of investment strategies, including Socially Responsible Investing, and integrates accounting services through its affiliated tax practice.

Matthew Watters is a financial advisor at Midwest Heritage Financial Advisors with 30 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® and ChFC® designations and has worked at Midwest Heritage Financial Advisors since 2019, with prior roles at Securities America Advisors, Inc. and Invest Financial Corporation. He serves as an investment board member for the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) and is a FINRA arbitrator. Watters also participates on various committees at Midwest Heritage Bank. Midwest Heritage Financial Advisors is the investment advisory division of Midwest Heritage Bank, FSB, serving individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm employs a “total portfolio” approach called Strategy Diversification, focusing on active, diversified allocation to manage volatility and seek consistent returns while operating as a fiduciary for advisory accounts.